Happily, recent rainfall has quenched wilting shrubs on the brink, but in mid-September, sure signs remain of our late summer lack of rainfall and the change to autumn. Piles of leaves of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’) litter the front stone path and Sensitive ferns (Onoclea sensibilis, below) are turning to brown. I can do nothing to prevent the beech leaves from falling, but I could snip each browned fern frond if I intended to keep a tidy garden. I do as little as possible.

The native Sensitive ferns fade quickly with the first frost, and while sporelings pop up randomly in part sun areas of the upper rear garden, they add lushness for a period. But, there are toad lilies (Tricyrtis, below) shielded from view beneath the browning fronds. As always, decisions must be made to edit or stay clear. Typically, I opt to observe.

As this mature garden is further stuffed with must-haves, past obsessions are occasionally neglected, so several toad lilies are now overwhelmed by vigorous neighbors. I’m still tempted to add ones with yellow flowers that are less commonly available, and I might find one while looking for the next mayapple (Podophyllum) or jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema).